"Better Off: Flipping the Switch..." Eric Brende

I_Like_Plants

I recently discovered the book "Better Off" by a guy named Gremse or Bremse or something, very well written and I HIGHLY recommend it though!

I can only schedule a limited time to read so I've read the first two of the three sections, and so far I love it. Makes me want to pack it all in and join the Minimites like ... now.

Great to see a sustainable society that goes beyond the Amish, they don't even use motors, so clearly showing the high social capital, abundant free time, and healthy eating and living that's possible if you just swear off using anything invented after say, 1850.

I wish I had more time to read it, just finished work and I'm lucky tonight, it's only 12:30 (after midnight) I hope to be able to read more tomorrow but I"m not sure, have to deal with a possibly dying digital camera I need to make a living and a suspicously-appeared screw embededd in one of the tires of my SUV - who knows if a neighbor etc did it, I've lived here over 2 years and even if I'm here for 20 I'll never talk to most of the neighbors, it's just not done!

julianj · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 1:49 am Post subject:

It sounds an interesting book, from your brief description.

When you have time could you post a fuller review, and the correct author details please?

Thanks

Julian

I_Like_Plants · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 5:57 am Post subject:

that's hard, it's up at the book store, and I read a part when I can!

Just look for the title "Better Off" and you should be able to weasel it out, it's well worth it!

julianj · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 6:13 am Post subject:

Ah ha ha ha ha! PO-aware thrift!!!

Smile

If the book's about powering-down, then the author should be proud of you (or maybe not Smile

)

Is this it:

Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology
Eric Brende Harper Collins 2004 ?

Amazon

I_Like_Plants · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 11:43 pm Post subject:

Yeah that's the one!

Hmph, I bought a coffee and a DVD of The Postman, which is a pretty decent movie, not without some major faults (Where are the Indians who would have gone back to live on the land? Why in the last scene is everyone apparently right back to a corporate lifestyle, as evidenced by the working microphone, and everyone's Lacoste polos?) and while I should buy Better Off I haven't.

I suck.

EnviroEngr · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:57 am Post subject: Good find

Thank you, Julian. Much appreciated.
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SupplyConcerns · Tar Sands Joined: Mar 18, 2005 Posts: 79 Location: Ohio

I reccomend the book as well. He does a good job at describing the subtle and enriching changes that one's experience of the world undergoes when they become more in touch with the normal rhythms of life. It's written from a perspective that most of us could relate to. [SPOILER]He's not a zealot; in the end, he lives in a sustainable small town, proving able to live a remarkably low technology-dependant, sustainable lifestyle.

Laughs_Last · Intermediate Crude Joined: Jul 26, 2005 Posts: 850

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